Presented by Ron Smith and Associates, Inc., and the

Course Description

The Advanced ACE-V Applications for Latent Print Examiners (AAA for LPEs) is an advanced course designed to take the latent print examiner to the next level.  The first day is a recap of the principles of Ridgeology and ACE-V methodology.  Then over the next several days, students will deconstruct the ACE-V methodology into its separate stages, performing exercises geared towards emphasizing the fundamentals of the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification stages.  Students will perform exercises individually and also in a group forum.  Students will not only have to convince the instructor of their findings, but also in some exercises, the "jury" (fellow students in the class).  In addition to the stages of ACE-V, more advanced topics will be explored such as the potential for bias, error rates, and probability models & statistics.

Course Objectives:

At the completion of the course, the student will demonstrate (through exercises and final examination) an understanding of the following:

·        Ridgeology terms and definitions

·        Understanding how statistics and probabilities relate to the examination process

·        Understanding the potential danger of bias

·        Utilization of all three levels of detail in friction ridge skin

·        Accurate analysis of latent mark impressions

·        Assessment of distortion

·        Accurate comparisons of latent marks and known exemplars

·        Efficient searching tools for locating a potential “match”

·        Accurate evaluations of latent marks and known exemplars

·        Demonstration of adequate justification for conclusions

·        Justification for conclusions (beyond a minimum minutiae threshold)

·        Demonstration of sound report writing to convey conclusions

·        Proper documentation of ACE-V methodology (notes)

·        Knowledge of advanced tools (e.g. Photoshop) to present conclusions

 

 

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
0800	Introduction and goals	Biology of FRS and Distortion	Comparison exercises	Errors	Reporting/ Documentation
0900	Ridgeology basics			Statistics	Documentation exercises
1000		Distortion exercises		Examples
1100	Methodology			Bias
Noon	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
1300	Analysis	Comparison	Evaluation	Verification	Defending the science
1400	Analysis Exercises	Comparison exercises	Evaluation exercises	Verification exercises	Review and Final examination exercises
1500
1600